3:37pm
Best cross of the game so far – Bruno curled a ball on to Baldock’s right foot but he failed to make proper contact as he tried to whisk it in first-time on the half turn.
The ball still went on to Colunga who played it temptingly back across goal – but no one could get to it.
3:34pm
I thought it was in – and so did a few thousand others!
Bennett curled a free-kick left-footed over the wall after a foul on Teixeira just outside the box and the ball went about a foot wide.
It rippled the side netting as it went, hence the optical illusion that it was in.
Before that Baldock was unhappy and I’d say with reason after being pulled up for a trip on Edu Oriol.
It was right in front of us and looked a dive by the Spaniard.
Baldock’s frustration at the decision was, of course increased by the fact he has been booked for diving.
Meanwhile the crowd remained patient but quite subdued.
3:28pm
Teixeira has just offered a highlight by getting back to help out defensively and then, instead of clearing into touch, back-heeling to Greer.
That started an attack which led to Teixeira meeting a deep cross and hooking the ball back across goal. But Lewis dived to his right to hold.
Greer is in the book for a foul to halt a counter-attack. No complaints about this decision.
3:23pm
Albion fans reckon they are getting a raw deal from ref Keith Stroud at the moment.
He booked Baldock for diving.
But their complaints really started after a bizarre free-kick decision against Greer when he slid in and cleanly hooked the ball away from the path of Miller.
3:19pm
Quite deliberate from Greer this time with the long crossfield through ball. He picked out Bennett’s run and the left back got there to cross from near the byline.
The ball went over Bruno (yes, Bruno) on the penalty spot – and fell to Teixeira, whose control as not quite as good as it needed to be, allowed Joan Oriol to challenge.
Stockdale, after catching a corner, has just tried to release Bruno (yes, Bruno) down the left wing but his punt was just too long. Applause from the crowd through.
3:14pm
There was also a low cross drilled in from the byline by Teixeira.
Lewis did well to hold it under pressure.
The ex-Posh keeper can be a bit hit and miss but is excellent on his day. Will this be one of them?
3:13pm
Albion have had plenty of the ball.
There was much better from Colunga as he crossed deep from the left towards Bruno’s run beyond the far post.
Bruno sidefoot volleyed the ball back across goal, just too high for Baldock.
The right-back has been getting into that sort of position on a regular basis already.
3:08pm
From our quite low angle I'm not quite sure how Colunga made such poor contact on that chance. He and his team could really have done with it going in.
3:07pm
Albion have made a habit of going behind this season – but they should have led inside the first minute today.
Greer’s pass forward was not, I think, intended as a through ball for Colunga.
But everyone missed it and suddenly Colunga was in, to the left of goal.
It was a one-on-one with defenders trying to catch up but somehow he lost his footing and could only push the ball gently towards keeper Lewis.
Then Baldock got in behind, right on the left edge of the area, and went down as keeper Joe Lewis came out to meet him.
Ref Stroud felt it was a dive and showed yellow.
3:01pm
Albion will defend the North Stand in the first half
Here we go...
2:59pm
This time it was pre-planned!
Albion cut out the music quite deliberately as they played Sussex By The Sea when the teams walked out.
They played the verse, then stopped when the chorus kicked in and allowed the fans to sing on their own.
Sounded very good and the fans loved it.
2:57pm
The day when Albion get back on track? Or the match which really gives them something to worry about?
That pretty much sums up the questions exercising mind as we await the home game against Blackpool on a sultry afternoon at the Amex.
A pair of defeats on the road have punctured what seemed to be a growing feelgood factor established before the international break.
Now Blackpool – 23rd in the table, winless and missing two key players -*come to town.
Albion have brought back Colunga and Teixeira in forward positions plus Crofts in midfield.
Blackpool, already missing Andrea Orlandi (foot), have seen key centre-back Peter Clarke ruled out through illness this morning.
The stage is set. Both teams need a win.
Let’s see how it goes...
Original article
Best cross of the game so far – Bruno curled a ball on to Baldock’s right foot but he failed to make proper contact as he tried to whisk it in first-time on the half turn.
The ball still went on to Colunga who played it temptingly back across goal – but no one could get to it.
3:34pm
I thought it was in – and so did a few thousand others!
Bennett curled a free-kick left-footed over the wall after a foul on Teixeira just outside the box and the ball went about a foot wide.
It rippled the side netting as it went, hence the optical illusion that it was in.
Before that Baldock was unhappy and I’d say with reason after being pulled up for a trip on Edu Oriol.
It was right in front of us and looked a dive by the Spaniard.
Baldock’s frustration at the decision was, of course increased by the fact he has been booked for diving.
Meanwhile the crowd remained patient but quite subdued.
3:28pm
Teixeira has just offered a highlight by getting back to help out defensively and then, instead of clearing into touch, back-heeling to Greer.
That started an attack which led to Teixeira meeting a deep cross and hooking the ball back across goal. But Lewis dived to his right to hold.
Greer is in the book for a foul to halt a counter-attack. No complaints about this decision.
3:23pm
Albion fans reckon they are getting a raw deal from ref Keith Stroud at the moment.
He booked Baldock for diving.
But their complaints really started after a bizarre free-kick decision against Greer when he slid in and cleanly hooked the ball away from the path of Miller.
3:19pm
Quite deliberate from Greer this time with the long crossfield through ball. He picked out Bennett’s run and the left back got there to cross from near the byline.
The ball went over Bruno (yes, Bruno) on the penalty spot – and fell to Teixeira, whose control as not quite as good as it needed to be, allowed Joan Oriol to challenge.
Stockdale, after catching a corner, has just tried to release Bruno (yes, Bruno) down the left wing but his punt was just too long. Applause from the crowd through.
3:14pm
There was also a low cross drilled in from the byline by Teixeira.
Lewis did well to hold it under pressure.
The ex-Posh keeper can be a bit hit and miss but is excellent on his day. Will this be one of them?
3:13pm
Albion have had plenty of the ball.
There was much better from Colunga as he crossed deep from the left towards Bruno’s run beyond the far post.
Bruno sidefoot volleyed the ball back across goal, just too high for Baldock.
The right-back has been getting into that sort of position on a regular basis already.
3:08pm
From our quite low angle I'm not quite sure how Colunga made such poor contact on that chance. He and his team could really have done with it going in.
3:07pm
Albion have made a habit of going behind this season – but they should have led inside the first minute today.
Greer’s pass forward was not, I think, intended as a through ball for Colunga.
But everyone missed it and suddenly Colunga was in, to the left of goal.
It was a one-on-one with defenders trying to catch up but somehow he lost his footing and could only push the ball gently towards keeper Lewis.
Then Baldock got in behind, right on the left edge of the area, and went down as keeper Joe Lewis came out to meet him.
Ref Stroud felt it was a dive and showed yellow.
3:01pm
Albion will defend the North Stand in the first half
Here we go...
2:59pm
This time it was pre-planned!
Albion cut out the music quite deliberately as they played Sussex By The Sea when the teams walked out.
They played the verse, then stopped when the chorus kicked in and allowed the fans to sing on their own.
Sounded very good and the fans loved it.
2:57pm
The day when Albion get back on track? Or the match which really gives them something to worry about?
That pretty much sums up the questions exercising mind as we await the home game against Blackpool on a sultry afternoon at the Amex.
A pair of defeats on the road have punctured what seemed to be a growing feelgood factor established before the international break.
Now Blackpool – 23rd in the table, winless and missing two key players -*come to town.
Albion have brought back Colunga and Teixeira in forward positions plus Crofts in midfield.
Blackpool, already missing Andrea Orlandi (foot), have seen key centre-back Peter Clarke ruled out through illness this morning.
The stage is set. Both teams need a win.
Let’s see how it goes...
Original article